Stretch run begins as January ends

The winter sports season is rapidly coming to a close and once we dig out from all this snow, the final chapter of the regular season should be memorable.

The girls’ hockey regular season comes to an end this week, while basketball culminates a week from Friday. It won’t be long until swimming, track, skiing and wrestling’s postseasons begin as well.

Here’s a glimpse at where things stand as January gives way to February.

Boys’ basketball

Morse’s boys’ basketball team is in a pitched battle for the top spot in the Western Class B Heal Points standings. the Shipbuilders were second to Yarmouth at press time at 10-4 after Monday’s 54-51 loss at Medomak Valley. After playing at Belfast Wednesday, the Shipbuilders host Mt. View Friday and Camden Hills Tuesday before closing the regular season Feb. 5 at Oceanside.

Hyde is second in Western D with a 12-1 mark following wins over visiting Rangeley (43-24), host Islesboro (56-54) and host North Yarmouth Academy (64-31). Andrew Palermo had 17 points and Antoine Montgomery added 10 against Rangeley. The Phoenix went to Pine Tree Academy Thursday, visit Old Orchard Beach Friday, play at Valley Monday, host A.R. Gould Wednesday and close at home against defending Western C champion Waynflete Feb. 5.

In Eastern A, Brunswick was 6-8 and seventh after a 63-55 home loss to Lewiston Friday. The Dragons were at Skowhegan Wednesday, host Lawrence Friday, visit Oxford Hills Tuesday and close Feb. 5 at home against Mt. Ararat.

The Eagles were 10th (only nine teams make the tournament) at 5-9 after a 50-49 win at Lawrence Friday. Mt. Ararat was home against Cony Wednesday, host Bangor Friday, visit Lewiston Tuesday, then close at Brunswick Feb. 5.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Hyde was fourth in Western D at 11-2 after sandwiching a 64-31 home loss to Rangeley and a 55-42 setback at Pine Tree Academy around wins at Highview Christian (43-26) and Islesboro (31-27). The Phoenix hosted NYA Wednesday and went to Pine Tree Academy Thursday. Hyde is home versus Hebron Academy Saturday, visits Valley Monday and closes the regular season at Temple Academy Wednesday of next week.

In Eastern A, Brunswick was 9-5 and sixth at the start of the week after a 63-60 win at Lewiston Friday. The Dragons were home against Skowhegan Wednesday, visit Lawrence Friday, host Oxford Hills Tuesday and close at home against Mt. Ararat Feb. 5.

The Eagles were 4-10 and holding on to the ninth and final playoff spot in Eastern A after a a 66-50 home loss to Lawrence. Mt. Ararat was at Cony Wednesday, visits Bangor Friday, hosts Lewiston Tuesday, then closes at Brunswick Feb. 5.

In Western B, Morse was 6-8 and 14th (only 10 teams make the playoffs) after a 59-32 home win over Belfast. The Shipbuilders hosted Medomak Valley Wednesday, welcome Mt. View Friday, play at Camden Hills Tuesday and close at home versus Oceanside Feb. 5.

Hockey

Brunswick’s boys’ hockey team was 8-4 and fourth in the Eastern A Heals heading into Friday’s home showdown against No. 3 Bangor. Wednesday, the Dragons go to Poland.

Mt. Ararat was 1-10 and 10th (only seven teams qualify for the playoffs) heading into Wednesday’s home game against Leavitt. After visiting Portland/Deering Thursday, the Eagles host Poland Friday.

On the girls’ side, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were battling for the sixth and final playoff spot in the East Region.

The Dragons were 3-13 and sixth after Monday’s 3-1 win at Portland/Deering. Brunswick has to make up a game versus Greely and closes at Edward Little/Leavitt Saturday.

Mt. Ararat was seventh at 2-13-1 heading into Wednesday’s game at St. Dom’s. The Eagles close Saturday at Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester.

The playoffs begin Wednesday of next week with the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Feb. 6-7. Both rounds will be played on the home ice of the higher seeds.

Indoor track

Both Brunswick’s indoor track teams came in third at an 11-team league meet last weekend. Morse’s boys came in seventh and the girls placed 10th.

The regular season wraps up Saturday and the Kennebec Valley Athlete Conference championship meet will be held Saturday, Feb. 7.

Swimming

Brunswick’s boys’ swim team has turned heads this winter. The Dragons set a new state record in the 200 medley relay back in December, as Jacob Cost, Brian Hess, Nate Samson and Henry Raker posted a time of 1 minute, 38.31 seconds. Samson, the defending Class A champion in the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke, is currently ranked first in five different events. Brunswick was undefeated at press time.

Brunswick’s girls were 7-1 at last check. Sophomore and All-American honoree Caitlin Tycz is ranked first in seven of eight individual swimming events. The Dragons relays own the top ranking in all three events. Those teams include Tycz, Emma Blair, Sophie Blair, Hannah Escoe and Lynsie Russell.

Wrestling

The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference wrestling championships are Saturday at Cony High School in Augusta.

The regionals are Saturday, Feb. 7 and the state meet will be Saturday, Feb. 14.